Series vs. Sequence — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
A series is a list of objects or numbers in a specific order, while a sequence is an ordered list of numbers adhering to a rule.
Difference Between Series and Sequence
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "series" often denotes a set or a list of items/numbers arranged or happening in a certain order, which can be finite or infinite. For example, a TV series involves various episodes shown in a specific order, while a series in mathematics refers to the sum of a sequence of numbers.
On the other hand, "sequence" implicates an ordered arrangement where each element follows a specific rule or pattern, which could be numerical or categorical in nature. Sequences are inherently ordered, implying that the position of each element is critical for understanding the arrangement.
While both "series" and "sequence" denote order and arrangement, a sequence implies a particular order that adheres to a definitive pattern or rule. A series, however, doesn’t strictly require adherence to a rule in its arrangement but does demand order.
Series might not always strictly pertain to numbers; it could refer to a string of related events, items, or entities, such as a series of books, tests, or incidents, where order might be pivotal but not necessarily adherent to a specific rule.
Sequence is widely applicable in various disciplines like mathematics, computer science, and biology, always indicating an ordered set where the position of each element holds significance and commonly follows a particular rule or pattern.
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Comparison Chart
Defining Order
Order is essential but no pattern is needed.
Order and pattern/rule are crucial.
Application
Can relate to any ordered list or events.
Typically related to mathematical orderings.
In Context
Can refer to episodes, tests, etc.
Often refers to numbers or DNA sequences.
Nature
Can be more arbitrary in order.
Strictly adheres to a pattern or rule.
Usage
Common in everyday language and math.
Frequent in technical and scientific fields.
Compare with Definitions
Series
Series as a Set of Events
A series of concerts will be held in the park.
Sequence
Biological Sequence
DNA sequence determines genetic information.
Series
Repetition in Series
He won the race series by securing all rounds.
Sequence
Film Sequence
The chase sequence was thrilling and intense.
Series
A number of objects or events arranged or coming one after the other in succession.
Sequence
Sequential Arrangement
Place the blocks in a specific color sequence.
Series
A set of stamps, coins, or currency issued in a particular period.
Sequence
In mathematics, a sequence is an enumerated collection of objects in which repetitions are allowed and order matters. Like a set, it contains members (also called elements, or terms).
Series
Physics & Chemistry A group of objects related by linearly varying successive differences in form or configuration
A radioactive decay series.
The paraffin alkane series.
Sequence
A particular order in which related things follow each other
The poems should be read in sequence
The content of the programme should follow a logical sequence
Series
(Mathematics) The sum of a sequentially ordered finite or infinite set of terms.
Sequence
A set of related events, movements, or items that follow each other in a particular order
A gruelling sequence of exercises
A sonnet sequence
Series
(Geology) A group of rock formations closely related in time of origin and distinct as a group from other formations.
Sequence
A part of a film dealing with one particular event or topic
The famous underwater sequence
Series
(Grammar) A succession of coordinate elements in a sentence.
Sequence
(in the Eucharist) a hymn said or sung after the Gradual or Alleluia that precedes the Gospel.
Series
A succession of publications that present an extended narrative, such as a comic book series, or that have similar subjects or similar formats, such as a series of cookbooks.
Sequence
Arrange in a particular order
Trainee librarians decide how a set of misfiled cards could be sequenced
Series
A succession of individual programs presented as parts of a unified whole, such as the set of episodes of a television show or a podcast.
Sequence
Play or record (music) with a sequencer.
Series
(Sports) A number of games played by the same two teams, often in succession.
Sequence
A following of one thing after another; succession.
Series
(Baseball) The World Series.
Sequence
An order of succession; an arrangement.
Series
(Linguistics) A set of vowels or diphthongs related by ablaut, as in sing, sang, sung, and song.
Sequence
A related or continuous series.
Series
A number of things that follow on one after the other or are connected one after the other.
A series of seemingly inconsequential events led cumulatively to the fall of the company.
Sequence
(Games) Three or more playing cards in consecutive order and usually the same suit; a run.
Series
(broadcasting) A television or radio program which consists of several episodes that are broadcast in regular intervals
“Friends” was one of the most successful television series in recent years.
Sequence
A series of related shots that constitute a complete unit of action in a movie.
Series
(mathematics) The sequence of partial sums of a given sequence ai.
The harmonic series has been much studied.
Sequence
(Music) A melodic or harmonic pattern successively repeated at different pitches with or without a key change.
Series
A group of matches between two sides, with the aim being to win more matches than the opposition.
The Blue Jays are playing the Yankees in a four-game series.
Sequence
Roman Catholic Church A hymn sung between the gradual and the Gospel.
Series
(zoology) An unranked taxon.
Sequence
(Mathematics) An ordered set of quantities, as x, 2x2, 3x3, 4x4.
Series
(botany) A subdivision of a genus, a taxonomic rank below that of section (and subsection) but above that of species.
Sequence
(Biochemistry) The order of constituents in a polymer, especially the order of nucleotides in a nucleic acid or of the amino acids in a protein.
Series
(commerce) A parcel of rough diamonds of assorted qualities.
Sequence
To organize or arrange in a sequence.
Series
(phonology) A set of consonants that share a particular phonetic or phonological feature.
Sequence
To determine the order of constituents in (a polymer, such as a nucleic acid or protein molecule).
Series
(electronics) Connected one after the other in a circuit, in series.
You have to connect the lights in series for them to work properly.
Sequence
A set of things next to each other in a set order; a series
Series
A number of things or events standing or succeeding in order, and connected by a like relation; sequence; order; course; a succession of things; as, a continuous series of calamitous events.
During some years his life a series of triumphs.
Sequence
(uncountable) The state of being sequent or following; order of succession.
Complete the listed tasks in sequence.
Series
Any comprehensive group of animals or plants including several subordinate related groups.
Sequence
A series of musical phrases where a theme or melody is repeated, with some change each time, such as in pitch or length (example: opening of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony).
Series
In Engler's system of plant classification, a group of families showing certain structural or morphological relationships. It corresponds to the cohort of some writers, and to the order of many modern systematists.
Sequence
A musical composition used in some Catholic Masses between the readings. The most famous sequence is the Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) formerly used in funeral services.
Series
An indefinite number of terms succeeding one another, each of which is derived from one or more of the preceding by a fixed law, called the law of the series; as, an arithmetical series; a geometrical series.
Sequence
(mathematics) An ordered list of objects, typically indexed with natural numbers.
Series
A mode of arranging the separate parts of a circuit by connecting them successively end to end to form a single path for the current; - opposed to parallel. The parts so arranged are said to be in series.
Sequence
A subsequent event; a consequence or result.
Series
A parcel of rough diamonds of assorted qualities.
Sequence
A series of shots that depict a single action or style in a film, television show etc.
Series
Similar things placed in order or happening one after another;
They were investigating a series of bank robberies
Sequence
(card games) A meld consisting of three or more cards of successive ranks in the same suit, such as the four, five and six of hearts.
Series
A serialized set of programs;
A comedy series
The Masterworks concert series
Sequence
(transitive) to arrange in an order
Series
A periodical that appears at scheduled times
Sequence
To determine the order of things, especially of amino acids in a protein, or of bases in a nucleic acid
Series
(sports) several contests played successively by the same teams;
The visiting team swept the series
Sequence
(transitive) to produce (music) with a sequencer
Series
A group of postage stamps having a common theme or a group of coins or currency selected as a group for study or collection;
The Post Office issued a series commemorating famous American entertainers
His coin collection included the complete series of Indian-head pennies
Sequence
The state of being sequent; succession; order of following; arrangement.
How art thou a kingBut by fair sequence and succession?
Sequence and series of the seasons of the year.
Series
(mathematics) the sum of a finite or infinite sequence of expressions
Sequence
That which follows or succeeds as an effect; sequel; consequence; result.
The inevitable sequences of sin and punishment.
Series
(electronics) connection of components in such a manner that current flows first through one and then through the other;
The voltage divider consisted of a series of fixed resistors
Sequence
Simple succession, or the coming after in time, without asserting or implying causative energy; as, the reactions of chemical agents may be conceived as merely invariable sequences.
Series
Mathematical Series
The sum of the series 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 is 15.
Sequence
Any succession of chords (or harmonic phrase) rising or falling by the regular diatonic degrees in the same scale; a succession of similar harmonic steps.
Series
Publication Series
The “Harry Potter” series is beloved worldwide.
Sequence
A hymn introduced in the Mass on certain festival days, and recited or sung immediately before the gospel, and after the gradual or introit, whence the name.
Originally the sequence was called a Prose, because its early form was rhythmical prose.
Series
Sequential Episodes
The detective series has ten episodes per season.
Sequence
Three or more cards of the same suit in immediately consecutive order of value; as, ace, king, and queen; or knave, ten, nine, and eight.
Sequence
The specific order of any linear arrangement of items; as, the sequence of amino acid residues in a protein; the sequence of instructions in a computer program; the sequence of acts in a variety show.
Sequence
To determine the sequence of; as, to sequence a protein or a DNA fragment.
Sequence
Serial arrangement in which things follow in logical order or a recurrent pattern;
The sequence of names was alphabetical
He invented a technique to determine the sequence of base pairs in DNA
Sequence
A following of one thing after another in time;
The doctor saw a sequence of patients
Sequence
Film consisting of a succession of related shots that develop a given subject in a movie
Sequence
The action of following in order;
He played the trumps in sequence
Sequence
Several repetitions of a melodic phrase in different keys
Sequence
Arrange in a sequence
Sequence
Determine the order of constituents in;
They sequenced the human genome
Sequence
Mathematical Sequence
The Fibonacci sequence begins with 0, 1, 1, 2.
Sequence
Order of Actions
Follow the sequence, first mix, then bake.
Common Curiosities
Can a series be infinite?
Yes, a series can be finite or infinite.
Can series refer to non-numerical things?
Absolutely, series can denote a set of any events or items, like a series of books.
How is a series defined in general language?
A series refers to a set or a list of items/events occurring or arranged in order.
How does mathematical series differ from a general series?
In math, a series is specifically the sum of a sequence of numbers.
Are all sequences series?
Not necessarily, since a series implies a summed total in mathematical contexts.
Can a series imply a continuation?
Yes, a series often implies a continuation of similar items or events.
Does a series always require a specific rule?
No, a series requires order but not necessarily a following pattern or rule.
What is crucial for a sequence?
An order and typically a defined rule or pattern are crucial in a sequence.
Can a sequence be applied outside of mathematics?
Yes, sequences can be found in biology, computer science, and more.
What is an example of a sequence in daily life?
A recipe, which requires steps to be followed in a particular sequence.
Can the term sequence relate to a story?
Yes, it may refer to a particular ordered set of events or actions in a story.
Is it accurate to call episodes of a TV show a sequence?
Typically, episodes are referred to as a series, not a sequence.
Can items in a series be unrelated?
Items in a series should be somewhat related or comparable, as they are part of an ordered set.
Is every series a sequence?
Not strictly, because a series doesn’t always adhere to a pattern or rule like a sequence does.
In biology, how is a sequence significant?
In biology, sequences, like DNA sequences, determine the genetic information of organisms.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
